All posts by John Dawson

UK Posts

Cyclists must steer clear of the threat of parked cars

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Car “dooring”, or being hit by an open car door, poses significant risks for cyclists, yet many cyclists ride eye-wateringly close to parked cars.

I once attended a cycle instructor training course, where one of the first things we learned was to ride “a door and a bit more” away from parked cars, even on narrow roads. To many cyclists this is counterintuitive as moving cars can feel – and act – like the most threatening thing on the roads.

The danger comes either from hitting a door or swerving to avoid one and falling into the path of oncoming traffic. Read article

UK Posts

Healthy transport = Healthy lives

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People have always wanted to reach destinations quickly, safely and efficiently. But as the UK transport environment has become increasingly complex, transport’s impact on health has become unnecessarily harmful – to the point where it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Read article | Download full report

Nothing new here for likely readers of this blog, but good to see the BMA flying the flag.

… and another IT article on lack of exercise

International Posts

Which do you think is riskier?

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Some situations seem far more dangerous to us than others, but the perceived risk is often quite far from the truth, writes NIAMH DORNAN … If we look at the numbers only, a different picture can emerge. The lifetime risk of dying in an air crash is 1 in 7,178, according to the National Safety Council of America. This is far lower than the 1 in 98 chance of dying in a car crash or the 1 in 701 chance of being killed as a pedestrian. Cyclists face a 1 in 4,381 chance of dying on their bicycles over their lifetime. Read article

Irish Posts

Minister Kelly announces €4.5m funding for 11 ‘Active Travel’ towns

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Initiative will lead to a more cycle friendly culture across the country

Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly has today announced over €4.5 million funding for walking and cycling infrastructure as part of the ‘Active Travel Towns’ Programme.

The initiative sees eleven successful Irish towns granted funding for local cycling and walking strategies – including new cycle-lanes, provision of walkways and behavioural change initiatives in local schools and workplaces to encourage people to switch their transport mode. Continue reading Minister Kelly announces €4.5m funding for 11 ‘Active Travel’ towns →

Irish Posts

Growing Cycling Participation and Closing the Gender Gap

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What? Dublin Cycling Campaign Conference 2012

Three years into the National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF), this conference will assess its progress in bringing positive change to cycling in Ireland. It will emphasise the necessity of focusing on women and young people to achieve the target of 10% cycling participation by 2020. Papers will be presented from Irish and European perspectives with new initiatives and ideas. It will provide essential guidelines for officials, professionals and practitioners. Read more